Apparatus for storing granular material



Jan. 26, 1965 E. R. ALLER APPARATUS FOR STORING GRANULAR MATERIAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 14,. 1962 INVENTOR.

EDMUND R. A LLER Jan. 26, 1965 E. R. ALLER APPARATUS FOR STORING GRANULAR MATERIAL Filed May 14, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 EM 5 E I I m: a 9

INVENTOR.

EDMUND R ALLER United States Patent Office 3,167,359 Patented Jan. 26, 1965 3,167,359 APPARATUS FGR STURING GRANULAR MATERIAL Edmund R. Aller, Gary, Ind., assignor to General American Transportation Corporation, Chicago, iii., a cor-p ration of New York Filed May 14, 1962, Ser. No. 194,593 (Jlairns. (Cl. 3227) The present invention relates to apparatus for storing granular material, and more particularly to such apparatus including structure defining a plurality of storage hoppers and an improved system for selectively controlling the unloading of the granular material from the various ones of the storage hoppers either upon an automatic basis or upon a manual basis.

Another object of the invention is to provide storage apparatus of the character described, and further including a remote control station and facility controllable from the station mentioned for selectively governing the particular ones of the storage hoppers from which the granular material is to be unloaded.

' A still further object of the invention is to provide in storage apparatus of the character described, an improved and simplified electrical control system for governing from a remote control station the particular ones of the storage hoppers from which the granular material is to be unloaded.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in storage apparatus, of the character described, an improved automatic control arrangement for selectively governing the particular ones of the storage hoppers from which the granular material is to be unloaded.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements of the storage apparatus, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

Y The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the followingspecification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

' FIGURES 1 and 2, taken together, are a diagrammatic illustration of apparatus for storing granular material and embodying the present invention and including structure defining a plurality of storage hoppers, a corresponding plurality of unloading nozzles respectively carried by the storage hoppers, and a control arrangements for selectively governing the unloading nozzles so as to control the particular ones of the storage hoppers from which the granular material is to be unloaded;

. FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of one of the unloading nozzles that is incorporated in the storage apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the unloading nozzle, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line FIG. 5 is a lateral sectional view of the unloading nozzle, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 7 55 in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a constructional detail of the unloading nozzle, taken within the circle designated 6 in FIG. 4, and illustrating a porous plug that is arranged in the diaphragm incorporated therein.

1 Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the apparatus for storing granular material there illustrated,

and embodying the features of the present invention,

comprises a plurality of storage hoppers, four of the hoppers ltlA, 10B, 10C and 10D being shown forthe purpose of the present description. The hoppers 10A, etc., are especially adapted for storing such finely divided or granular material, as flour, malt, plastic resin beads, or the like. Preferably, the hoppers 119A, etc., are identical; whereby the hopper 10A comprises an upstanding substantially cylindrical body 10 provided with substantially frusto-conical top and bottom walls 11 and 13, respectively. The top wall 11 is provided with a loading hatch opening that is normally closed by an associated hatch cover 12; and the bottom wall 13 is provided with an associated bottom discharge outlet. A plurality of outlet nozzles are respectively carried by the bottom walls of the hoppers; whereby the outlet nozzles 100A, ltitlB, 100C and 100D are respectively carried by the bottom walls 13 of the hoppers 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D.

The nozzles 100A, etc., are identical to each other; and each of these nozzles is of the fundamental construction and arrangement of that disclosed in the copending application of Edmund R. Aller, Serial No. 140,936, filed September 26, 1961, now Patent No. 3,088,777, granted May 7, 1963, and described more fully hereinafter. More particularly, each of the nozzles 100A, etc., is of the automatic type; whereby the same essentially comprises a casing communicating with the bottom discharge outlet in the bottom wall 13 of the associated hopper 10A, etc., a suction tube extending through the casing and having a valve port therein, and valve mechanism for selectively controlling the opening and the closing of the valve port mentioned.

The hoppers 10A and 10B are arranged in a first group and are connected to an outlet conduit 19; and the hoppers NC and MD are arranged in a second group and are connected to an outlet conduit 29. Also the storage apparatus comprises suction apparatus 30 common to the four hoppers 16A, etc., and an air filter 16 common to the first group of hoppers 10A and 10B, and an air filter 26 common to the second group of hoppers 10C and 10D. In the arrangement, the air filter 16 is provided with an air inlet conduit-1'7 communicating with the atmosphere, and an air outlet conduit that is connected to the inlet of an associated air control valve 14, the outlet of the valve 14 being connected to the. inlet of the suction tube of the nozzle 199A. Similarly, the air filter 26 is provided. with an air inlet conduit 27 communicating with the at mosphere, and an air outlet conduit that is connected to the inlet of an associated air control valve 24, the outlet of the valve 24 being connected to the inlet of the suction tube of the nozzle 100C. The valve 14 comprises adjustable port control mechanism 14a that may be selectively adjusted from the exterior by an associated manually rotatable rod 14b; and likewise, the valve 24 comprises adjustableport control mechanism 24a that may be selectively adjusted from the exterior by an associated manually rotatable rod 2 The outlet of the suction tube of the nozzle ltiliA is connected via a conduit 18 to the inlet of the suction tube of the nozzle 1MB, and the outlet of the suction tube of the nozzle 109B is connected to the outlet conduit 19; and likewise, the outlet of the suction tube of the nozzle liitlC is connected via a conduit 28 to the inlet of the suction tube of the nozzle D, and the outlet of the suction tube of the nozzle 100D is con nected to the outlet conduit 29. The two outlet conduits 19 and 29 are connected in parallel to a common outlet anism has an operated closed position cutting-01f communication between the casing thereof and the suction tube thereof, thereby to prevent unloading of the granu lar material fromthe associated hopper 10A, etc. Moreover; each of thenozzles v ilt tlf-i', let c., comprises automatic facility for actuating the valve mechanism thereof from its normal open position 'into its operated closed position in response to the emptying ofallof'the granular-ma terial from'the associated 'one'of the 'hoppers 10A,'etc.;' which facility is described in detail subsequently. Fun thenea'ch'of the nozzles 1605A, etc., comprises first manually controllable facility for overriding its automatic facility and for forcing'the' valve mechanism thereof into' a its open position, and second manually controllable facil- 7 two stationary switch springs' 53 and 54 respectivelydisposed on opposite. sides thereof; whereby the movable switch spring 52cdisengages both of the stationary switch springs; 53 and 54in the automatic? positionthereof;

"wherebysthe 'movableswitch spring 52 engages, the stae tionarylswitch 54l inithe open'-'position thereof; and

" whereby the movable switchspring 52 engages the staity for overriding'its automatic facility and for'forcing the 7' valve mechanism thereof intojits' closed position; which I facilities are'described in detaihsubsequently.

Also, the storage apparatus comprises control equip;

inent for 'selectively operating the valve mechanisms of the nozzles 100A,1etc.,- between their open and closed positions; which equipment includes an air pump 32; a vas tank '34, a pressure tank33, a plurality of opening 'valves 41A, 41B; 41C and 41D respectively as'sociated with the casings of thefno z zles 106A, 7100B, 100C and 109D, and aplu'rality of closing valves 42A, 42B, 42C and i 42D respectively associated with the'casings of the hojzz'les 100A, 1603, IOtlC and 100D. lv oretparticularly,the in-' I let of the pu psz is connected by a 'pipefijto the-,vac-fi tionary'switch spring 53 in theiclosed position thereof. Also, themovable switch spring 52 is locked in either its open; position orits closed? position when it is operated thereto, and until the same is manually operated back to its-automatic? position; The construction and arrangement of each of the other keys Kf61B, K710 and K811) are the same as; thoseof the key KSIA; whereby thelkeyKGlB "comprisesthe'corresponding switch springs 62 63"and 64; whereby the key K716 comprises the corresponding switch springs -72',-.73 ;and 74; and whereby'the .key K81D comprises the corresponding switch springs 82,

553 and84. A.

In the circuit arrangement, theswjitch springs54, 64-,

7'4 and 84 are respectively connected to the conductors 7 $5,655,375 and 85 included in-the cable 95 and respectively extending to thesoln0ids crrhe respective opening valves 41A, 413,41C and 41D;andisimilarlyfthe switch springs 1mm tank 34 and the outlet'of the pump 5211s connected by a pipe, to the pressure. tank 36;;wherebyoperation sure in the vacuum tank 34- and a superatmospheric or high pressure in the pressure tank 36. T he vacuumv tank 34 is connected to a low pressure line 37 extending to the 1 casings of the nozzles 109A,fetc.; and the pressur'e tank 36 is connected to'a highpre'ssure line 38 extending tothe of the pump 32 maintains a subatmospheric' or low presi- I,

53, 63,173 and 83 are respectively connected to the; conductors 56, 66,176and'86 included'in the cable' 95, and respectivelyextending to the solenoids of the respective closirig valves 42A,;42B, 42 C and 421).: Alsothe. switch springsfiz; 62, 721and'82 arercommonly connectedto a bus 90" that isconnected to lthe positive terminal y- 0f a storage battery 91 arranged at the station 50, the negative casings of the 'nozzles'ltltiAetc, The low -pressureiline isrespectively'connected by thekopeningvalveskilA; 41B, 41C'and 41D'to the casings of the respective nozzles 100A, 1MB, llltlC andltltlDi andsimilarly, the high presv a I sure line 38, i respectively connected by v the {closing valves 42A, 42Bf'42C- and 42D'to'the' casings of the re-:" 4 opening valves. 41A, etc.;- and the closing valves 41B,'etc., J are identical; wherebyfieach of the. valves is normally biased into its closed position and is provided with an spective nozzles:'100A,"[100B, INC "and 100D. Q-The terminal ofthebatte'ry 91 being' connected to a grounded conductor 92. The coiiductorsand 56, are respectively 1 connected to fltwo: terminals of the j'solenoids, of ithe two .valves and 42A; andgthe other two; terminals of, the

two solenoids mentioned are commonly connected: to the grounded 'conductor;92 1; Similarly, lthe conductors and '66 {arezrespectivelyconnected totwo terminals of the solenoids of the twb valv'es41B neeze; 'and'fthe other 'two" terminals of the two solenoids Tmentioned are corn inonly connected to' the'grounded conductor 92. Similarly, the conductors' and 76 are respectively connected 1 to two: terminals vof the solenoids of the two valv'es 41C operating solenoid Whichwhen energized actuates'athe valve againstjits bias into its'open position. Qperation of the opening Valve 41A, ere, tinto'its ope' n po sitionconnects the lowjpr essure pipe 37 to the casing-of thefcorre f sponding nozzle liNlA; etc.;whereby the valve mechanism of the nozzle 1 00A,fetC., is actuated into its open position overriding the automatic facility therein, as previously noted. Operation of, the closing va lve 42A,, etc, into a a its open position connects the'high pressure pipe to they 7 casing of the corresponding'nozzle 1619A, etc.;;whereby the 'andZC; and the other two terminalsiof the two'solenoids mentioned 'arecommonly connected to the grounded-conne'cted tot'thegrounded conductor 92. Y 1

. Before "proceeding with the des'cription of the opera "'tion of the stora ge rapparatusof FIGS. 1 and 2, it'is well valve mechanism 'ofthe'nozzlef100A;etc.,is actuatediinto: I

' 1 its closed po sition overriding: the automatic facility, therein, :as-previously noted; Only one of thepair of yalve's 41A, 42A can be operated intoits Open positionat' any 7 time and operation ofboth ofYthevalves 41A and 142A the other pairs or valves 41B, 42B and 41C, 42C and-41D,

42D are the same-as that described above for the pair.;off-' to the solenoids of the the solenoids of the closing YalVe s 42Ag etc; which sta;

tion iseis remote from o the locality: or theghoppersflltlAj etc, and comprisesa' plurality of control keys or switches;

K51A, K61B, K71C and K81D respectively.correspondingtoithe ihoppers 10A,: 03} 10C and ll 0D; -Mor e par- I the manually, operable type; including an lautornatic position, {an' open position and a fclosed?" po'sition.' Forjexample, i the key "KS IA" comprises a movable switchfspring 52"and into their closed positions restores the automatic facility I in thecorrespondingnozzlelOtlAI The arrangements of a me 1 V corresponds to 1any one of'thenozzles A,*100lt,' 'e tc.,

as previouslydescribed generally; whereby the nozzle 106 wcornprises 'arhollow casing l0l -terminating in" an open top ItBZthat is'surr oundedby an outwardly'directed subconsider the'wonstr'uction"and arrangement of the nozzles} 100A; etc.; whereby referenceis made to FIGS.-

4 .t 7 inclusive, wherein" the construction and-arrangeof rthefnozzle 1W0 is illustrated; The nozzle 100 stantiallysrectangular collari'ltlithat is adapted to be opening valves 41A,;etc., and; to;

v V removablywsecuredijin place belowthe substantially recv r .7 'tangular collar '13zz..carried by thebottom wall'13 of a .11 Finally the storage apparatus compr ses a remote cona V p y .v s'toria'g'e hopper'Illl.anddisposedin surrounding relation. I tfrol stat on 59 that 1sconnected'by aneelectrrc-cable 95 with respectto; the bottom discharge outlet ISb-therein. v More particularly, the collar 103 is arranged immediately 'b elow rthel collar 13 with 'a sealing gasket 10}? there between tandi'is secured in place by} a pluralityof bolts projecting'lthrough aligned openingsrespectively-formed 70', p v p I respectively {carrying cooperating nuts (106. Also, the casi'rig glt'll terminates inial nation opening f1 07 disposed a directly below fthe}top opehing 102; which bottom openini 'the eollars lila andv l-tlland in"the"gas' ket 104 and normally closed by 1 an associated 5 removable bottom cover 188, I flilzefir:over"- 1'0 81is normally .;retainedin place by a pair of threaded studs 109 respectively carrying a pair of cooperating nuts 110. The inner ends of the studs 109 are respectively received in a cooperating pair of threaded openings provided in the bottom of the casing 101 and the intermediate portions of the studs 109 respectively project through cooperating openings provided in the bottom cover 108, the outer ends of the threaded studs 109 respectively receiving the nuts 110'.

Further, the nozzle 100 comprises a suction tube 111 extending longitudinally therethrough and formed integrally with the casing 101; and preferably, the casing 101 and the suction tube 111 comprise an integral metal casting formed of a suitable aluminum alloy. The suction tube 111 is disposed below the rectangular collar 103 carried by the top of the casing 101 and the opposite ends 112 thereof extend well outwardly beyond the collar 103. Both of the ends 112 are open, and one of them is adapted to serve as an air inlet opening into the suction tube 111, and the other of them is adapted to serve as an air outlet opening from. the suction tube 111. The intermediate section of the suction tube 111 is disposed within the casing 101 and carries at the bottom thereof a communieating downwardly directed hood 113 terminating at the bottom thereof in a valve port 114 positioned directly above the bottom discharge opening 107 into the casing Also a diaphragm 115 is arranged in the lower portion of the casing 101, and more particularly between the bottom of the casing 101 and the bottom cover 108. Specifically, the diaphragm 115 comprises a centrally disposed section 115a constituting a valve element with respect to the associated valve port 114, an outer marginal sec tion 115b constituting a gasket element disposed between the bottom of the casing 101 and the top of the bottom cover 108, and a substantially annular intermediate section 1150 constituting a flexible diaphragm proper element interconnecting the sections 115a and 11512. More particularly, the diaphragm 115 may be formed of a suitable sheet of rubber, or the like, and is arranged in covering relation with respect to the bottom discharge opening 107, the gasket element 115b thereof being clamped in place by the bottom cover 103 upon the bottom of the casing 101 in surrounding relation with the bottom discharge opening 107. Also, a metal reinforcing plate 116 is arranged below the lower side of the valve element 115a and the adjacent upper side of the bottom wall of the bottom cover 108; which metal reinforcing plate 116 is securely adhered to the adjacent lower surface of the valve element 115a for the purpose of preventing ballooning thereof into the bottom of the hood 113 through the valve port 114, when the valve element 115a occupies its closed position with respect to the valve port 114, as explained more fully hereinafter.

Also, the diaphragm 115 cooperates with the bottom I cover 108 to define a chamber 117 therebetween; which chamber 117 communicates with the lower portion of the casing 101adjacent to the bottom discharge opening 107 .via a restricted passage formed through the diaphragm proper element 1150. As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, a hole 115d is formed through the diaphragm proper element 1150 and located well outwardly from both the valve port 114 and the valve element 115a and positioned below the bottom of the intermediate section of the suction tube 111 disposed within the casing 101; and arranged within the hole 115d is a button-like plug 118 formed of porous material thereby to define the previously mentioned restricted passage between the lower portion of the casing 101 and the chamber 117 disposed below the diaphragm 115. More specifically, the button-like plug 118 may be formed of porous material selected from i the class consisting of ceramic materials, plastic materials,

and sintered metal oxide materials. I In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the interior of the storage hopper is in communication through the bottom discharge outlet 13b thereof with the interior of the casing 101 of the outlet nozzle 100. In turn, the interior of the suction tube 111 communicates with the interior of the hood 113; and the interior of the hood 113 selectively communicates with the interior of the lower portion of the casing 101 through the valve port 114 depending upon the position of the valve element 115a. More particularly, the valve element 115a occupies a normal lower open position with respect to the valve port 114 when the diaphragm 115 occupies its normal lower position, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. On the other hand, the valve element 115:: occupies an operated upper closed position with respect to the valve port 114, asindicated in dotted lines in FIG. 4, when the diaphragm 115 occupies its actuated upper position. Also, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the valve element 115a occupies its open position with respect to the valve port 114, the bottom of the hood 113 is in open communication with the lower portion of the casing 101; and when the valve element 115a occupies its closed position with respect to the valve port 114, the communication between the bottom of the hood 113 and the interior of the casing 101 is cut-oif or closed. Also, it will be understood that when the storage hopper 10 contains granular material, the same falls through the bottom discharge outlet 13b thereof into the casing 101 and accumulates upon the upper surfaces of the valve element 115a and the diaphragm proper element 1150; whereby the valve element 115a and the diaphragm proper element 1150 are subject to the weight of granular material in the casing 101 so long as there is granular material in the storage hopper 10, thereby further to bias and to maintain the valve element 11501 in its normal open position with respect to the valve port 114. As explained more fully hereinafter, the granular material from the storage hopper 10 is unloaded via the casing 101 of the outlet nozzle through the suction tube 111, the granular material proceeding from the casing 101 through the valve port 11 1, with the valve element a in its open position, and thence through the hood 113 into the suction tube 111. Of course, it will be understood that in this unloading operation, suction is maintained in one end 112 of the.

suction tube 111 and conveying air is supplied at the other end 112 of the suction tube 111. After all of the granular material has been unloaded from the storage hopper 10 and from the casing 101 of the associated nozzle 100, continued suction in the suction tube 111 causes the valve element 115a to be operated from its lower openposition with respect to the valve port 114 into its upper closed position with respect to the valve port 114 by virtue of a Bernoulli effect that is produced in the lower portion of the casing 101 and between the valve element115a and the bottom of the hood 113 in the immediate area of the valve port 114, as explained more fully below. Accordingly, it will be understood that in response to suction in the suction tube 111 and the consequent suction in the lower portion of the casing 101, after all of the granular material in the storage hopper 10 has been unloaded therefrom, the valve element 115a is automatically operated by the diaphragm proper element 1150 from its open position into its closed position with respect to the valve port 114, whereby the communication between the interior of the suction tube 111 and the interior of the casing 101 is cut-off or closed. v

More particularly, in the absence of suction in the suction tube 111, concurrently with or without granular material in the lower portion of the casing 101, the upper side of the valve element 115a and the upper side of the diaphragm proper element 1150 and the hole 115d in the diaphragm proper element 1150 are subject to atmos pheric pressure so that the chamber 117 disposed below the diaphragm 115 is also subject to atmospheric pressure, with the result that the diaphragm proper element 1150 is maintained in its lower position maintaining the valve element 115a in its lower or open position with respect to the valve port 114. On the other hand, suction in 9. i mp oy d v ,1

Further,the nozzlejltltl'cornprises anair controLtube "120 and an air bleeder I tube 13B, both carried by a the V '7 v V V V V 6 l the suction tube 111, concurrently granular material in the lower portion of the casing 101, subjects the upperV side of the valvejelernent 115a1 and the upper side 'ofjthe diaphragm 'proper. elementj115c and the hole 115d in the diaphragm proper element f115c with; the presence 1 of bottomfcover communicating with the charnber:

117 disposed betwe en" thebottomicover 108 and the diaphragm 115; The air control tube 120 is selectively eonne ctibleto; a source ofrelatively low pressure air to relatively lowvair pres-sure (substantially below'atmos pheric pressurey'so that the chamber 117: is also'subject to the relatively low air pressure, with the result that the diaphragm properelem ent 1150 is maintained in its'low er i position maintaining the valve element 115a intoitslowe'r or open position With respect t'o' the valve port114. .Still:

on the other hand, suction in the suction tube 111,,cDnf' currently with the absence of granular material in the lower portion "of the casing'ltll, subjects the uPPer side or the valve element 115a to relatively low air pressure '(substantially below atmospheric pressure), andflsubjects the upper sideof the diaphragm'prope'relement 115a; and 5 the hole 115d in the diaphragm proper eleme'ntllfia'e to upper position. moving the valve element 115a into its felativelyhigh air pressure '(only slightly below atmos V pheric pressure), so that the chamber117 is'alsosubject.

to the relatively @high? air pressure, with the result that a the. diaphragmprop'er element 1150 is operated into its upper or closed; position, with respect to the valve port 114. Under 'thellast-mentioned conditions, the upper-side,

of the valveeler'nent 115 1 is subjected to'the relatively low; air pressure mentioned',rwhile the upperffsideio f,;the Q diaphragm proper element 11 5c issubje'ctedto the relak tively high ,air pressure ;mentione d by virtue of the B ernoulliefiect as a-consequen'ce of'the'air rushing through.

the restricted orifice defined between the bott'o'm ofjthe'l hood 113 and the top side of the valve element' l lisz'l.

Moreover-{the arrangementof the-diaphragm proper element 115a not only constitutes mechanism for s elee tively actuating the valve element 115a between itsopen and closed positionswith respect to the iva'lve'port 1 14; "as described above but the provision of the porous plugi diaphragm 115, as described, above. I the air bleeder tubeISO-cOmmUnicates with the atmosand' to a source of relatiyelyhi'glrpressure,air for the.

purpose offpositively actuating the", diaphragm 115 and of overriding the automatic" facility for actuating the The outer end of phere, and a porous plug 131' is arranged inthe inner end of the air bleeder tube 130; which porous plug 131 may --be of the general construction of the porous plugi118,

as previously described.

When relatively high pressure air is connected to the air control tube 129," the same is "admitted into the v chamber 1117, thereby to move the diaphragm 115 up- Wardlyso as to force the valve element 115'aihto its 7 closed position Withjirespect to theassociated Valve port 11 1 and {regardless lot' th'e'conditions of: air pressure in ,the casingj 101 that normally,"automatically control the position 'of the diaphragm1115 asdescrib'ed'above,"where-' by the-Valve element1'15a is retained injits closed po- 4115 dpwnwardly so, as to force, the'valv'e element 115a position of the diaphragm 115, as described above; Where- 7 by the valve element 115a 'is retainied' in jits. open position 118 in the hole '115d formedrthrough thepdiaphragmr in propenelement 115:: jservesfas an air check valve preventing sudden movements of the diaphragmiproper ele- 'ment llf c'ibetweeniitsupper and lower positions, thereby to prevent flutter of the valveelement 115a" between its closed' and open positions with respect to the valve port114. Also, it will be understoo'dflthat the granularirnaterial ii into-itsjopenposition with respectlto the associated valve port-114. andsregardless of the conditions of air pressure in the cjasing' 101 that normally automatically control the and the previously described f automatic tacility for conftrollingthef position ofthe' valve element 115a is thus over'ridden.- At thisetime af restricted amount of atmospheric air is supplied via the air bleeder tube 130 and'through the porous plug- 131 into the'chamber 117 and thence into the, airfcontrohtube 120.

in the storage hopper IO-may'be directly unloaded byf'm; gravity through the bottomf'discharge opening 107' in the; casing 191 by the removal of the bottom cover 103* from its normal closed position with respect to "the bottom discharge outlet 107. QMo re' particularly, {the bottom cover 108may. be removed from coyeringzrelationl i with respectf-to the' bottom' discharge opening 10@7 by,

removal of one 'ofstheln uts lltl fromthe'associatedione of the threaded studs-109 and by loosening of the other: a r

55, 1 threaded stud 109,;thebotto'm cover 108 being jrotated, 1 about the. retaining one of the threaded studs 109mm; v its covering position With respect to thebotto ml discharge 7 opening 107. Of-"'cburse,thisjgravity; =unloading of-the storage, hopper 10 through the casing-101M the nozzle, 100, with the bottoni'lcover 108 in its open position,

ofthe nuts 110 With.respect to the fassociateduotheri is altogether;independentjot the pneumatic unlo'ading l r thereof utilizing the suction tube 111 in the ,manner I previously} eXplained. ;At thispoint, it is noted'that-fthecrest of theintermediateportion, of the suction tube 1'11 extendinglongitudinally through-the casing 101; of. thenozzle 100 is providedwwith a general pyramidal cori- .-figu'ration inllateral sectiomlasindicatedat*111u, so;as 7

to facilitate the downward slide .Df; the granularjinaterial from the storage hopper '19 'through-the'casing 101Land r'egardless of whether pneumaticunloadingorgravityfunloadingfot the granular n ateriali throughrf the inoz zle Again referring to FIGS."1 and 2, it Will be observed that the air control tube 120A extending intotlie adjacent ca'singrof 'the associated .nozzle 103A is connected to a manifold section of pipe 121A extending between the. associatediopening valve 4 1Ajand the associatedclosing i .valve 42Ag'jthe" valves 41A 'andf42A normally occupying their closed positions as previously, noted. Similarly, {the air control'tube 1120B; extending" into the adjacent f casinggof the associated nozzle 10 6B .is connected to a manifold' section of pipe 121B extendingrbetween the associated opening valveilBgand theassociated closing 1 valve 42B, the valves 41B f iand 42B normally occupying their closed positions as previously'moted. Similarly,

theiair-c'ontrol tube 7120C extending into the adjacent Casing of the/associated. nozzle 100C is connected to a manifoldsection of pipe 121C extendingbetween the ,associatedf opening vva1ve;41C and the, associated closing 'valve 42C; the valves 41Q'land 42C normally occupying their closed positions gas previously noted .Similarly, the air control'tube 121Dextending into the adjacent oasingof-"the associated nozzle '160D is connected to a manitold section' ;of I pipe 121D extending between the associated opening -valve 41D and the associated closing valve 42D, the" valves 41D a'ndftZD normally occupyingf their'closed positions, :as previously noted. I I Considering now the general modeof operation of the storage system bfFIQS, 1 ::and 2, "andiassum in'g that each of; the. hoppers" 16A,- 1 0B,, 1Q C and 10D; contains granular frnaterialgfthatf the suction apparatus 29 is-operating, that the i pump 32, is operating, .and itha't each 'of the keys K512i, 613, rqroand new at the remote control, r

station '50 occupies} its aultornatic positioml he open ating suction apparatus 30 draws air thereinto through the common outlet conduit 20 and discharges the same through the discharge conduit 31, whereby low pressure is drawn in the two parallel connected outlet conduits 19 and 29. Accordingly, atmospheric air is drawn into the air inlet conduit 17 and passes through the filter 16 into the air outlet conduit 15 and through the air control valve 14 into the suction tube in the associated nozzle 100A. The air passes through the'suction tube of the nozzle 106A and thence via the conduit 13 and through the suction tube of the nozzle l-titlB into the outlet conduit 19; which stream of air passing through the nozzles 100A and 100B may be regulated as required by the manually operable air control valve 14 so that the granular' material in the hopper A is fed through the associated nozzle ltltlA into the air stream mentioned and so that the granular material in the hopper 10B is fed through the associated nozzle 1908 into the air stream mentioned, with the result that the granular material carried by the air stream mentioned into the outlet conduit 19 is derived from the two hoppers 19A and NB. Similarly, atmospheric air is drawn into the air inlet conduit 27 and passes through the filter 26 into the air outlet conduit 25 and through the air control valve 24 into the suction tube in the associated nozzle W9C. The air passes through the suction tube of the nozzle 108C and thence via the conduit 28 and through the suction tube of the nozzle ltltlD into the outlet conduit 29; Which stream of air passing through the nozzles lltltlC and will) may be regulated as required by the manually operable air control valve 24 so that the granular material in the hopper NC is fed through the associated nozzle 1490C into the air stream mentioned and so that the granular material in the hopper ND is fed through the associated nozzle 1WD into the air stream mentioned, with the result that the granular material carried by the air stream mentioned into the outlet conduit 29 is derived from the two hoppers 16C and ran. The two air streams mentioned respectively passing through the outlet conduits 19 and 2 9 are combined in the conduit 2% and thus pass through the suction apparatus 36 into the discharge conduit 31, whereby the granular material in the air stream passing through the discharge conduit 31 is derived from the four hoppers MA, MB, NBC and MD. Or" course,

.in the event it is desirable to arrest the supply of granular material through the discharge conduit 31, it is only necessary to arrest operation of the suction apparatus 39. During the normal operation of the storage apparatus as described above, should any one of the hoppers MA, etc., become empty with respect to the granular material normally contained therein, the associated nozzle ltlliA, etc., is automatically operated to cut-oil the normally open communication between the casing thereof and the suction tube thereof, in the manner previously explained in conjunction with the operation of the nozzle ltltl in connection with FIGS. 4 to 6, inclusive. Gf course, this automatic control of the nozzle 190A, etc., prevents undesirable passage of air through the associated hopper 159A, etc., when the same is empty with respect to the granular material normally contained therein.

Now assuming that it is desirable for some reason to upset the normal automatic operation of the storage system as described above with respect to one of the hoppers 10A, etc., this can be accomplished by the operator at the remote control station 5% by appropriate operation of the corresponding one of the control keys KSIA, etc.

First assuming that the operator at the remote control station 50 desired to upset the normal automatic operation of the nozzle 100B individually associated with the hopper 103 in the sense that it is d sired to force the valve mechanism of the nozzle liidB into its open position and without refernce to whether there is granular material contained in the associated hopper NB, the operator merely actuates the corresponding control key K618 out of its automatic position into its open position. Operation of the key K613 into its open position engages the switch spring 62 with the switch spring 64 so that potential appearing upon the conductor from the associated battery 91 is connected to the conductor 65 in the cable 95, thereby to complete an obvious circuit for energizing the solenoid of the opening valve 413 so that the same is operated into its open position connecting the low pressure pipe 37 to the manifold pipe 1218 and consequently to the air control tube 120B in order to effect operation of the valve mechanism incorporated in the nozzle ltlliB into its open position in the manner previously explained. The control key K613 is locked in its open position, thereby to maintain the valve mechanism incorporated in the nozzle 1008 in its open position; with the result that operation of the suction apparatus 3%) at this time necessarily effects emptying of the granular material from the hopper 1013. When the operator at the remote control station 50 desires to restore the nozzle 1MB individual to the hopper ltlB back to automatic operation, he merely returns the corresponding control key K613 from its open position back into its automatic position, whereby the previously traced circuit for energizing the solenoid of the opening valve 415 is interrupted, so that the low pressure pipe 37 is disconnected from the'manifold pipe 12113 and consequently from the air control tube 120B; whereby the valve mechanism incorporated in the nozzle 169B is restored to its normal automatic operation as previously described.

Next assuming that the operator at the remote control station 59 desires to upset the normal automatic operation of the nozzle B individually associated with the hopper 18B in the sense that it is desired to force the valve mechanism of the nozzle 1608 into its closed position and without reference to whether there is" granular material contained in the associated hopper 103, the operator merely actuates the corresponding control key K61B out of its automatic position into its closed position. Operation of the key K618 into its closed position engages the switch spring-62 with the switch spring 63 so that the potential appearing upon the conductor 90 from the associated battery 91 is connected to the conductor 66 in the cable 95, thereby to complete an obvious circuit for energizing the solenoid of the closing valve 42B so that the same is operated into its open position connecting the high pressure pipe 33 to the manifold pipe 1221B and consequently to the air control tube B in order to 'eifect operation of the valve mechanism incor porated in the nozzle 1630B into its closed position, in the manner previously explained. The control key K61B is locked in its closed position, thereby to maintain the valve mechanism incorporated in the nozzle 1003 in its closed position; with the result that operation of the suction apparatus 36 at this time cannot effect emptying of the granular material from the hopper 10B. When the operator at the remote control station 50 desired to restore the nozzle 100B individual to the hopper 10B back to automatic operation, he actuates the corresponding control key 1461B from its closed position into its open position and then back into its automatic position. Operation of the control key KdlB from its closed position interrupts the previously traced circuit for energizing the solenoid of the closing valve 42B, so that the high pressure pipe 38 is disconnected from the manifold pipe 121B and consequently from the air control tube 293; while operation of the control key K61B into its open position completes the previously traced circuit for energizing the solenoid of the opening valve 41B, so that the low pressure pipe 37 is connected to the manifold pipe 12113 and consequently to the air control tube 120B; with the result that the valve mechanism incorporated in the nozzle M033 is operated from its closed position into its open position in the manner previously explained. The operation of the control 'key K61B from its open i appended claims all such modifications as position back into its previously traced circuit for energizing the solenoid of the opening valve 41B, sothatthe low pressuIQ pipe: 37 r is disconnected from the. manifold pipe 12113 and conj sequently from the air control tube IZQBjWhereby the} valve mechanism incorporated injthenozzle 1W3 is restored to its normallautomaticoperation, as previously described.

In view of lthe fo regoing explanation of the mode of '10 V, 1

same ot granular; material in the associated casing for selectively controlling the position of the valve mechasaid respective tionsfof thje retspectivevalve elements in-jthe corresponding ones of said:outlet,nozzles, "each[ of said; actuating mechanisrn's' being normally responsive to the passage of conveying, air throug h' the, associated tube concurrently wit the presence of granular material.inathe-associated Qcasingjfor actuating the associated valve'element in'to 'its open positionwithrespect to the associated valvdpdrt J and normallyresponsive to the passage :of conveying aunism incorporated in the nozzle 1MB individual to the hopper ltlB utilizing the ,corre sponding lrey K61Bi at the remote control station 50, it: will be understoodl that, likewise, thetposition of the valve 'mechanismincorporated in any one of the other nozzles 109A, etc., may

be controlled utilizingthe corresponding key 1451A, etc, at the remote control stationed. Hence,'it will be unv, derstood' that 'the' connection and the disconnection of each of the four hoppers 10A,'10B, lfiC'and "101) may then be'co'ntrolled entirely upon a manual basis with the through the associated tube concurrently with the 'ab actuating the associated valve elementinto its closed posi tionfwitli respect to the associated valve port,1 a'control station remote from said outlet nozzles and provided with' a pl iiralityof control devices respectively corre-t sponding thereto, each of saidfcontrol devices including utilizationof the corresponding keys K51A, KolB, K7llC, t

,and K813) at-the remote'control station fitl, thereby I renderingithe emptying of the fourihoppers' mentioned entirely under thecontrolof the operator at theremote control station 50. a a it t' In view of the foregoing, it' is apparent'that .the're has i been provided in an" apparatus for storing granular ma tterialand including structure defining a plurality of stor-;

age hoppers, animproved arrangement for selectively controlling either automatically or manually the emptyhoppers mentioned.

n'orrnal and open and closed-control,positions, means controlled by operation of any oneoffsaidfcontroldevices from its norrnalposition into'its open position for overriding the normal .responsej'of the actuatingtmechanismin the corresponding one of. said outlet nozzles'and for positively operating the same to actuate the associated valve element into fitsopen position with respect 'to the associated valve port, and means controlled by operation of any one of said control devices from its normal position into its closed position for overriding the normal response of thefactuating mechanism in the corresponding one of a ing of granular material from the various ones'of the i said outlet nozale's' andfor positively operating ,thefsame to actuate Qtheassociated valve element into its closed position with respect to the associated valve port;

2'. The apparatus set forth in 'claini '1, wherein apluralityfo'f' said {tubes are connected in series relation with 7 "each other in said conduit system to' said 'outlet pipe.

may be 'made therein, and it-is "intended to cover in the:

true spirit and scope of the invention.

What isclaimed is? fall withina the'" 5. 'turekdefining a plurality of storage hoppers respectively provided with a plurality of bottom discharge outlets,

a plurality of outlet nozzles respectively carriedby'said'i storage hoppers, each of said outlet nozzles including a casin'g disposed below the bottom outlet in the associated one of said storage hoppers and communicating therewith,

each of said outlet nozzles italso inclu'ding a suction-tube extending through the -lower portion of the associated casing for unloadin'gflthe granularymaterial from the associated one of said storagehoppers, the intermediate section of each of said tubes being disposed within the I 3." The apparatus set forth claim l, wherein a plu rality' of said tubes area 'conriected in parallel-relation with eachjother in said conduit system to saidoutlet pipe.

f '4; In apparatus for'storinggranular-inaterial including 2 structure defining a storage hopper. provided with, a bottom".discharge outlet; an outlet nozzle comprising acasing "carried byv said storage, hopper and disposed lbelow'said bottom outlet'and communicating therewith, a suction tube extending through the lowerportion of said casing for unloading the granular material from said storage hopper through said" casing, one end of' said tube'providing an 'air'inletopening thereintowand the other end of said tube providing an airioutletcpening therefrom, the intermej diate' section of said tube beiugdisposediwithin saidcas- :.ing' and havinga valve port providedin the bottom thereassociated casing and having-a valve port providedin the I bottom thereof and communicating with the lowertpo rtion of the associated, casing, each 'of said outlet'nozzles'further including a valve element arranged in the bottom; of

in the associated, tube and cooperatingtherewith, Where associated valve element'occupiesits open position with respect-to the associated valve portend the interior of each 'of said tubes is cut-oil: from communication with connecting said tubes rte-said tubes into saidoutlet pipe ween e result ithat thegranular material in said plurality jOf storage hoppers isselectively unloaded therefrom naugurate respective asin gsjint ot ithjrespect to the associated V "n'duit system" commonly: 7

tlet pipepmeans for pro- J ducing "suction in said outlet-{pipeg whereby conveying fair is supplied through" saidjconduitsystem and via said of, a valve element arranged ,inithe lower. portion of said casing below' saidvalve portand cooperating therewith, whereby the interior ofsaid tube is in communication 'with' the lower portion of said casingrwhen said valve ijelement occup'ies its open position'with respect to said valve port jaiid theinterior of said tubf'is cut ofii'frorn the associated casing and disposed'belowthe 'valve port communication witlithe lower portion of sjaid casing when said valve element occupies its closedposition'with I 5 respect to said valve port, actuating mechanism for selecby the interiorlof each of said-tubes is in communication 1 i i with thelower' portion of the associated easing when'the' 1 valve. per a elerrient" nt' V port,- said diaphragri cooper tively actuating said valve elementbetween its open and closed positions with'respectto said valve port, means I for producing" suction'infthe iothe'rjend of said.- tube, where by conveying'airiis suppliedinto said air inlet opening and passesthi'ough said tube andtoutof said air outlet opening w ith'the resultthatthe granular material in'said stor age hopper is selectively unloaded therefrom through said casing depending'uponi'the position of saidvalveelement" with respect tosaidvalve port, said mechanism comprisf r a diaphragm arranged in the lower-portion 5f id. 1 8 8 3 ffi i y onnected j to saidlvalve element, tm said} diaphragm having il V ower position-actuating said valve .elen ent intd its" ,open position With'respect to said anf upper position' actuating; said valve its close d position'with respect to, saidvalve to define achamber;therebetween,fsaid dia:

; "b ag normallyfresponsive'tofthe passageof co tubes dependingffupoiithe respective 505i I nsjiwiur the" "bottom of 13 veying air through said tube concurrently with the presence of granular material in said casing to move into its lower position and normally responsive to the passage of conveying air through said tube concurrently with the absence of granular material in said casing to move into its upper position, a low pressure line, a high pressure line, valve means for selectively connecting said lines to said chamber, whereby said diaphragm is moved into its lower position in response to connection of said low pressure line to said chamber and is moved into its upper position in response to connection of said high pressure line to said chamber, a control station removed from said outlet nozzle and provided with a control device having normal and open and closed positions, means responsive to operation of said control device from its normal position into its open position for operating said valve means to connect said low pressure line to said chamber so as to override the normal response of said diaphragm in said outlet nozzle and for positively moving the same into its lower position, and means responsive to operation of said control device from its normal position into its 1% closed position for operating said valve means to connect said high pressure line to said chamber so as to override the normal response of said diaphragm in said outlet nozzle and for positively moving the same into its upper position.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 4, and further comprising means defining a restricted passage between said chamber and the atmosphere, whereby air is bled through said passage at a low controlled rate from said chamber to the atmosphere when said high pressure line is con nected to said chamber, and whereby air is bled through said passage at a low controlled rate from the atmosphere into said chamber when said low pressure line is connected to said chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,325,432 Simpson July 27, 1943 2,706,136 Hughes Apr. 12, 1955 2,707,132 Baresch Apr. 26, 1955 2.7 171 Mylting Jan. 1, 1957 

1. IN APPARATUS FOR STORING GRANULAR MATERIAL, STRUCTURE DEFINING A PLURALITY OF STORAGE HOPPERS RESPECTIVELY PROVIDED WITH A PLURLITY OF BOTTOM DISCHARGE OUTLETS, A PLURALITY OF OUTLET NOZZLES RESPECTIVELY CARRIED BY SAID STORAGE HOPPERS, EACH OF SAID OUTLET NOZZLES INCLUDING A CASING DISPOSED BELOW THE BOTTOM OUTLET IN THE ASSOCIATED ONE OF SAID STORAGE HOPPERS AND COMMUNICATING THEREWITH, EACH OF SAID OUTLET NOZZLES ALSO INCLUDING A SUCTION TUBE EXTENDING THROUGH THE LOWER PORTION OF THE ASSOCIATED CASING FOR UNLOADING THE GRANULAR MATERIAL FROM THE ASSOCIATED ONE OF SAID STORAGE HOPPERS, THE INTERMEDIATE SECTION OF EACH OF SAID TUBES BEING DISPOSED WITHIN THE ASSOCIATED CASING AND HAVING A VALVE PORT PROVIDED IN THE BOTTOM THEREOF AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE LOWER PORTION OF THE ASSOCIATED CASING, EACH OF SAID OUTLET NOZZLES FURTHER INCLUDING A VALVE ELEMENT ARRANGED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ASSOCIATED CASING AND DISPOSED BELOW THE VALVE PORT IN THE ASSOCIATED TUBE AND COOPERATING THEREWITH, WHEREBY THE INTERIOR OF EACH OF SAID TUBES IS IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE LOWER PORTION OF THE ASSOCIATED CASING WHEN THE ASSOCIATED VALVE ELEMENT OCCUPIRS ITS OPEN POSITION WITH RESPECT TO THE ASSOCIATED VALVE PORT AND THE INTERIOR OF EACH OF SAID TUBES IS CUT-OFF FROM COMMUNICATION WITH THE LOWER PORTION OF THE ASSOCIATED CASING WHEN THE ASSOCIATED VALVE ELEMENT OCCUPIES ITS CLOSED POSITION WITH RESPECT TO THE ASSOCIATED VALVE PORT, EACH OF SAID OUTLET NOZZLES FURTHER INCLUDING ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR SELECTIVELY ACTUATING THE ASSOCIATED VALVE ELEMENT BETWEEN ITS OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE ASSOCIATED VALVE PORT, AN OUTLET PIPE, A CONDUIT SYSTEM COMMONLY CONNECTING SAID TUBES TO SAID OUTLET PIPE, MEANS FOR PRO- 